Personal Floatation Device

ABSTRACT

A personal floatation device includes a garment having a body portion and a buoyancy member coupled to the garment. The garment extends above and below the buoyancy member and is transitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The buoyancy member includes an inflatable bladder and at least one handle. The personal floatation device includes an inflator module in fluid communication with the inflatable bladder. The inflator module includes a power supply and a storage device containing a buoyant material to at least partially fill the inflatable bladder. The at least one handle is operatively coupled to the inflator module to control flow of the buoyant material into the inflatable bladder. The personal floatation device includes an illumination source in electrical communication with the inflator module such that the power source of the inflator module provides power to the illumination source in the inflated state.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/479,584, filed on Mar. 31, 2017, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates, generally, to devices used for floatation, andmore specifically, personal floatation devices. More specifically, thepresent invention is directed toward an inflatable personal floatationdevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically, personal floatation devices take the form of a vest. Thepersonal floatation device may include a high buoyancy foam disposed inthe vest. While typical personal floatation devices have worked fortheir intended purpose, they suffer from certain disadvantages. Forexample, foam life vests are bulky and restrict movement of a user. Inorder to prevent drowning in a body of water, the user must wear thepersonal floatation device prior to entering the water. Bulky andrestrictive foam life vests are unlikely to be worn by the user and aretherefore ineffective. In addition, personal floatation devices of thetype known in the related art do not aid others in locating the userwhen in the water. Thus, there remains a need for a personal floatationdevice that is comfortable and likely to be worn and aids others inlocating the user in the water.

SUMMARY

The subject invention provides for a personal floatation devicecomprising a garment having a body portion and defining a head openingand two arm openings and a buoyancy member coupled to the garment. Thegarment extends above and below the buoyancy member. The buoyancy memberis transitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state. Thebuoyancy member comprises an inflatable bladder and at least one handlewith the inflatable bladder substantially empty in the deflated stateand with the inflatable bladder expanded in the inflated state.

The personal floatation device further comprises an inflator module influid communication with the inflatable bladder. The inflator modulecomprises a power supply and a storage device containing a buoyantmaterial to at least partially fill the inflatable bladder with thebuoyant material in the inflated state. The at least one handle isoperatively coupled to the inflator module to control flow of thebuoyant material into the inflatable bladder.

The personal floatation device further comprises an illumination sourcefor emitting light to locate the personal floatation device, with theillumination source in electrical communication with the inflator modulesuch that the power source of the inflator module provides power to theillumination source in the inflated state.

Accordingly, the buoyancy member coupled to the garment andtransitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state is formfitting to the user and minimally restrictive to promote wearing thepersonal floatation device. Furthermore, the illumination source aidesothers in locating the user when in the water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, where;

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a personal floatation devicehaving a buoyancy member in a deflated state.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the personal floatation device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a user wearing the personalfloatation device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the personal floatation device ofFIG. 1, with the buoyancy member in an inflated state.

FIG. 5 an environmental view of the personal floatation device of FIG. 1worn by a user in a body of water, with the buoyancy member in theinflated state.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a child wearing an alternativeembodiment of a personal floatation device.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a toddler wearing another alternativeembodiment of a personal floatation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like partsthroughout the several views, a personal floatation device 10 is shownin FIG. 1. The personal floatation device includes a garment 12 having abody portion 14, and defining a head opening 16, a torso opening 18, andtwo arm openings 20. The head opening 16 is arranged to accommodate auser's head and the arm openings 20 are arranged to accommodate theuser's arms. The personal floatation device 10 further includes abuoyancy member 22 coupled to the garment 12. The buoyancy member 22 isgenerally ring shaped and disposed about the body portion 14 of thegarment 12.

In FIGS. 1-5, the garment 12 is illustrated as a T-shirt; however,alternative configurations are considered. For example, the garment mayinclude longer or shorter sleeves as desired by the user. Alternatively,the garment could be sleeveless. The garment 12 may be made from anysuitable material. For example, woven nylon fabric, which is both waterresistant and durable, may be used. Advantageously, the garment 12extends above and below the buoyancy member 22 on the users body. Thisallows the personal floatation device 10 to be worn similarly toconventional clothing, thereby encouraging the user to wear the personalfloatation device 10.

Best shown in FIG. 4, the personal floatation device 10 further includesa retention strap 24 coupled to the garment 12 and configured toposition the buoyancy member 22 around the body portion 14. Theretention strap 24 wraps around the buoyancy member 22 to couple thebuoyancy member 22 to the garment 12.

The buoyancy member 22 has a deflated state and an inflated state. Thebuoyancy member 22 is shown in the deflated state in FIGS. 1-3. Thebuoyancy member 22 includes an inflatable bladder 26 and two handles 28.When the buoyancy member 22 is in the deflated state, the inflatablebladder 26 is empty and is collapsed in a space saving configurationabout the body portion 14 of the garment 12. The buoyancy member 22occupies less space in the deflated state than in the inflated state.

The personal floatation device 10 is able to keep the user afloat in theinflated state. The buoyancy member 22 is shown in the inflated state inFIGS. 4 & 5. Here, the inflatable bladder 26 has been filled with abuoyant material, which causes the inflatable bladder 26 to expand. Whenexpanded, the inflatable bladder 26 increases stability of the user,which prevents the user's head from being submerged in water. Thebuoyant material is any material having a density less than water, andable to be stored in a compressed or collapsed state. For example, thebuoyant material may be a compressed gas, such as Carbon Dioxide.Alternatively, the buoyant material may be an expanding foam that isactivated by a chemical reaction.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the personal floatation device 10 furtherincludes an inflator module 30 in fluid communication with theinflatable bladder 26. The inflator module 30 includes a storage devicecontaining the compressed buoyant material, and a power supply. Theinflator module 30 is operable to inflate the inflatable bladder 26. Thehandles 28 are operatively coupled to the inflator module 30 and controlflow of the buoyant material into the inflatable bladder 26. The handles28 may each be illuminated allowing the user to easily locate thehandles 28 if visibility is limited. The storage device may bereplaceable, rechargeable, single-use, multi-use, or similar.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user activates the personal floatation device 10by pulling one of the handles 28 away from the buoyancy member 22. Whenthe user pulls one of the handles 28, the inflator module 30 fills theinflatable bladder 26 with the buoyant material, thereby expanding theinflatable bladder 26 and activating the inflated state of the buoyancymember 22. More specifically, the user may pull one or both of thehandles 28 to inflate the buoyancy member 22.

Alternatively, the personal floatation device 10 may include aninflation sensor to detect when the user has fallen into the water. Whenthe inflation sensor detects that the user has fallen into the water,the buoyancy member 22 may be automatically inflated. The user maymanually deactivate the inflation sensor to prevent automatic inflationof the buoyancy member 22, for example, if the user intentionally entersthe water. Furthermore, the user may deflate the buoyancy member 22 uponexiting the water. In this way, the personal floatation device 10 may bereused many times.

The personal floatation device 10 further includes an illuminationsource 32. The illumination source 32 allows the personal floatationdevice 10 to easily be located when visibility is reduced, such as atnight. Furthermore, a user wearing the personal floatation device 10 ismore easily located. The personal floatation device 10 may include ashoulder illumination source 32A, a torso illumination source 32B, andan arm illumination source 32C. The illumination source may be an arrayof LEDs (light emitting diodes), a strobe light, or other devicescapable of illuminating the personal floatation device 10.

The illumination source 32 is in electrical communication with theinflator module 30. The power source in the inflator module 30 providespower to the illumination source 32. The power source may be a battery,such as commonly available “AA” batteries, or a rechargeable battery.Additionally, the personal floatation device 10 may include anillumination sensor to activate the illumination source 32. Theillumination sensor may detect when the handles 28 are pulled, when thepersonal floatation device 10 is exposed to water, or when the personalfloatation device 10 is in a dark environment. The illumination source32 may further be used as a signaling or warning light in emergencies.The illumination sensor may be combined with the inflation sensor such asingle sensor is capable of activating both the illumination source 32and the buoyancy member 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the personal floatation device 10 may include asolar panel 34 coupled to the garment 12. The solar panel 34 is inelectrical communication with the inflator module 30 to recharge thepower source. The power source may also be recharged with a walladapter, or from a USB device.

Another embodiment of a personal floatation device 100 is shown in FIG.6A. The personal floatation device 100 is substantially the same as isdescribed above, however the garment is appropriately sized for a child.It is to be appreciated that the personal floatation device 100 may beany size so as to fit both children and adults alike.

Yet another embodiment of a personal floatation device 200 is shown inFIG. 6B. The personal floatation device 200 generally includes thefeatures described above, however the personal floatation device 200 isappropriately sized for a toddler. Here, the garment 202 includes twoleg openings 204. The leg openings 204 prevent the personal floatationdevice 200 from accidently falling off of the toddler.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the present invention are possible inlight of the above teachings, and the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal floatation device comprising: agarment having a body portion and defining a head opening and two armopenings; a buoyancy member coupled to said garment, with said garmentextending above and below said buoyancy member and is transitionablebetween a deflated state and an inflated state, with said buoyancymember comprising an inflatable bladder and at least one handle withsaid inflatable bladder substantially empty in the deflated state andwith said inflatable bladder expanded in the inflated state; an inflatormodule in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder, with saidinflator module comprising a power supply and a storage devicecontaining a buoyant material to at least partially fill said inflatablebladder with said buoyant material in the inflated state, with said atleast one handle operatively coupled to said inflator module to controlflow of said buoyant material into said inflatable bladder; and anillumination source for emitting light to locate said personalfloatation device, with said illumination source in electricalcommunication with said inflator module such that said power source ofsaid inflator module provides power to said illumination source in theinflated state.
 2. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim1, wherein said buoyancy member is generally ring shaped and disposedabout said body portion of said garment.
 3. The personal floatationdevice as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a retention strapcoupled to said garment and configured to position said buoyancy memberaround said body portion.
 4. The personal floatation device as set forthin claim 3, wherein said retention strap wraps around said buoyancymember to couple said buoyancy member to said garment.
 5. The personalfloatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said illuminationsource is at least one illumination panel extending along said garment.6. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidillumination source comprises at least a shoulder illumination source, atorso illumination source, and an arm illumination source.
 7. Thepersonal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidillumination source comprises at least one of an array of light emittingdiodes and a strobe light.
 8. The personal floatation device as setforth in claim 1, further comprising an illumination sensor operativelycoupled to said illumination source for activating said illuminationsource and capable of detecting at least one of said personal floatationdevice being exposed to water, said at least one handle being pulled,and said personal floatation device being in a dark environment.
 9. Thepersonal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said buoyantmaterial is a compressed gas.
 10. The personal floatation device as setforth in claim 1, wherein said at least one handle is illuminated forallowing the user to easily locate said at least one handle.
 11. Thepersonal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, further comprisingan inflation sensor operatively coupled to said buoyancy member andconfigured to detect when the user has fallen into the water forautomatically inflating said buoyancy member.
 12. The personalfloatation device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a solarpanel coupled to said garment and in electrical communication with saidinflator module to recharge said power source.
 13. The personalfloatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least onehandle comprises two handles.
 14. The personal floatation device as setforth in claim 1, wherein said garment defines a torso opening oppositesaid head opening.
 15. The personal floatation device as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said garment defines two leg openings opposite saidhead opening.